Infusion versus Confusion!

Infusion versus Confusion!

By Allen Merritt (©2017)

I was sipping a cup of Joe and starring out the glass windows of the coffee house. I see the word “INFUSIONS” prominently displayed on the glass before me. Nothing unusual about that except I was reading it backwards and quickly took note of that. I naturally read the word even though it was facing the other direction AND I read it right to left instead of left to right. It was as if my brain recognized the word was backwards and corrected it automatically so I could interpret what I was seeing accurately. Otherwise, I would have read the word “SNOISUFNI,” which is nothing more than Greek to me!

In any case, my mind understood I was looking at the word from the backside of things and interpreted it correctly. Isn’t that fascinating?  Now, some might say this is typical of me, always doing things backwards or as my mother would say, “half ass” backwards, but I believe there is more than one way through, so whether you read it left to right, right to left, fill in the missing pieces or have to unscramble letters, eventually you see the truth. 

I remember experiments in psychology classes having to do with chunking information (how we remember things easier in chunks) and how we can fill in the blanks to interpret the verbiage correctly even though letters are missing. An example would be how we best remember phone numbers, which is in chunks. First there is the area code, which serves as one chunk and then follows two more separate chunks. Instead of learning 10 numbers in their exact order, we learn three chunks thus making it easier to remember once learned. Our brains have incredible power to recognize the full picture. Stare at a Magic Eye photo long enough and you will see what I mean.

It’s sort of like learning to drive on the opposite side of the road in another part of the world. Ever done that? It’s a bit weird at first, yet titillating at the same time. But I digress; back to the word of the day – “Infusions”.

Upon seeing the word Infusions, the next thought that popped into mind was the word “Confusions.” Of course the words are phonetically similar, but each holds a different connotation toward living a happy-go-lucky lifestyle.

It brings to mind the choices we have and the decisions we make as we decide how to move forward, as well as what kind of response system we will initiate. I felt it was a good moment to explore the terms infusions versus confusions as it pertains to promoting positivity.

In pondering the term “Infusion” I quickly think of synchronization; how two or more things naturally come together and blend. Think of infused herbal teas or infused fruit flavored water. The blending of elements creates something new.

When it comes to “Confusion,” I imagine discombobulating, out of whack and lack of comprehension. 

What happens when both words are used simultaneously? I see this as purposefully confusing oneself or putting oneself in a state of utter confusion, which keeps us in a state of uncertainty. For example, oil and water tend not to infuse or blend. In fact, they separate.

Infusion can either blend the best of the best or add the unfavorable to the favorable. It can also exacerbate circumstances by compounding the confusing elements that much more.

So I am thinking infusion can supersede the idea of confusion in that it instills within us the innate ability to entrain something into our daily navigation either positive or negative.

So choosing carefully what we want to infuse into our lives matters to the ultimate outcome and viewpoint (perspective).

When I think of this, it makes perfect sense why we should consider our surroundings and who we include in our life’s journey. If you let happier people into your inner circle it results in pleasant experiences, but insert the miserable, you get a miserable result.

One of the books I have been reading speaks to our idea of happiness; what it is, what it does and how it is perceived. One of the principles mentioned is that nothing or no one can make us happy, but everything and everyone in the world can encourage happiness. 

It may never be perfect in the literal sense, so work it out. 

Infuse each day with a daily dose of what makes you smile. That is where you will discover many results of positivity in motion.

Stop the confusion by infusing the right elements for you. 

Hit the gas and move forward by infusing your life with those who engage, participate, encourage, nurture and support. It will make all the difference!

Have a great week living life on a positive note.

Cheers!

The Cheer Up!

The Cheer Up!

By Allen Merritt (©2017)

I was thinking on the idea of cheering up.

Not me personally, but the idea of it.

You know, as in to help yourself feel better when you are feeling down.

People tend to say it all the time, “Hey, Cheer up!” or “Oh, Just Cheer up already!”

No matter how positive a person you are all it takes is hearing sad news, a bad report or something that strikes you odd to experience some kind of reaction or response. There is no doubt that we, as human beings, go through this on occasion. This proves we are human. This demonstrates everyone has emotions, which is good! Without them there would be no social aspect to living where one person helps another; there wouldn’t be any support system to speak of.

You’re on your own!

Truly, in many ways, everyone is on their own. But we have our circles. On occasion we can reach out and receive a little good cheer when we need it. That’s a positive! Otherwise, we have to generate our own good cheer and positive energy to see us through.

Anyway, in considering the idea of the cheer up or good cheer, my funny bone got in the way and starting relating cheering up to that of a cheerleader shouting out at a pep rally.

Ready? Okay!

Give me a “C”.

Give me an “H”

Give me an “E-E-R!”

I can picture then jumping up and down with smiling faces screaming at the top of their voices to get the spirit going.

As humorous as that may first appear, this is what we have to do for ourselves. We must become our own best cheerleaders. We need to self-energize, pump ourselves up and give positive self talk and pats on the back for everything we do. That’s right! We have to administer to ourselves the Cheer Up! Now, you don’t have to put on the cheer-leading outfit or do the tumbling routine, but you do have to give yourself a boost now and again, so in effect, this is much like cheer-leading.

It also means you have to recognize when it is time to stand up and prepare for the Cheer Up. Recognize the signs of when you begin to droop and drag. Put out the arsenal of positive weaponry and put it to use. I think some of this comes naturally, but this reminder hopefully will put things back in the fore front of our minds as we enter a new week of keeping up with the positives.

Instead of looking for an escape route, we must look to move past and/or through it. Here are some mantra statements many folks are familiar with that get things started in the cheering up process.

Give yourself permission by reiterating that, “It’s okay!”

Remember there is more than one way through it so, “Try again!”

“Give this another chance.”

“It’s going to get better.”

“You’re doing well!”

“Chin up!”

“Practice makes perfect!”

“The sun will come out tomorrow!”

These are not just random sayings to offer because you don’t know what else to say (to yourself or others), they actually have substance behind them. In other words, they have effect through their meaning. Even if you think cliches are not worthwhile, it shouldn’t stop you from trying them and/or making up your own statements that mean something to you. It doesn’t matter how cheesy they are.

With that in mind, whether it is you or someone you know offer them a some good cheer this week when you observe something is out of place or the doldrums are lurking around. Shoot! You don’t even need to feel down to receive good cheer! Get that spirit going. Rev it up! 

So pull out your imaginary pom-poms and enjoy living life on a positive note.

Cheers and Cheer Up!

What Now?

What Now?

By Allen Merritt (©2017)

Yesterday was a busy day. Nothing unusual about that statement, I suppose. Many people can say that about any given day, but for me it was busy enough that I found myself wondering what I really should be doing with my day today, especially since I already know I have committed myself for a job happening tomorrow. I don’t want to squander my energy.

It’s already mid-afternoon and I am about to head down for some exercise in the gym. I figured that is one solid thing I can do for myself that rates high on the positivity scale. Here’s the funny thing, I am not running down there in any quick manner. I checked my email yet one more time. I play an online game. I think about what I have not accomplished today. I think about what I have accomplished today. Then before you know it, I realize I haven’t done anything today.

Oh, boy!

What now?

There is this part of me that does not have to convince myself I need to do anything at all. There is always plenty to do and knowing that helps keep me in my perfect place or right state of mind. If it needs doing, it will still be there to do tomorrow; or, in my case, the day after tomorrow (which never comes by the way).

In any case, promoting a positive well being is to understand there are times when you simply allow yourself to be in mind, as well as body. I thought of this earlier and another thought came into my mind about not forgetting to add my heart into the mix.

I took this to mean to add my heart onto the list as it refers to my well being. Get to the heart of the matter, as they say! In other words, I realized I should be clear with myself that when I have a choice to keep my mind, body, soul, spirit and senses calm, cool, collected, happy and content in the midst of the daily grind, that I should also include my heart.

Seems like I remember a statement about guarding your heart, which I take to mean to safeguard your heart against hurtfulness; but it can also mean to not forget your heart, because it is a part of everything you are and do, too. Ultimately, maybe doing not much of anything instead of feeling like you have to do something (or are obligated to) is good for your hearts well being and not just your head.

Thusly, having moments where you are sitting there thinking, “What now?” may be just the ticket of awareness that leads you down a path of answering back, “Nothing. Let’s do nothing.”

Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way, but I think most people are aware of the fact they need a little “me” time and conversely plan for it with long weekends, planned vacations, little day trips, a spa lunch and whatever else tickles their fancy!

  

I will say it again; there is always plenty of things to keep us busy in the world. Knowing this means there can never really be any sense of this thing called boredom, only a sense of lack when it comes to taking care of self in the midst of routine. Next time you find yourself with a little time on your hands, take advantage of listening to your mind, body, soul, spirit, senses and HEART and see if you need to do anything at all.

So what now?

I guess nothing…positively nothing.

Take that and stuff into your tool bag this week!

Enjoy and have a great time doing nothing on a positive note.

Cheers!

Just Smile!

Just Smile!

By Allen Merritt (©2017)

With all the ramblings going on with twitter postings, the Tweet posting I noticed today simply read, “Just smile!”

That’s all it said.

It’s those two little words I would like to focus on this week. Actually, I really want to discuss the topic of smiling.

I always had a goofy smile. Still do!  Many times it was overly animated, if not a little out of proportion. In fact, I remember a certain school year (I think it was my freshman year in high school) where I smiled so big my mother was sure it meant I was using drugs. I am not kidding! She really did accuse me of being high during photo day. Needless-to-say, this hurt my feelings at the time. It also made me self-conscious of smiling. Every photo I have taken since then has been tainted by whether or not my smile was misrepresenting me.

In any case, when I contemplate smiling, I am also reminded of the many times where people try to cheer you up or encourage you to smile and you don’t feel like it. As a result, you give one of those fake smiles just to appease everyone. It is so incredulous it looks unreal. It’s like a flash of a smile.

Buddhist tradition encourages us to start with a half smile, as long as it is genuine. Start there and before you know it you’re fully smiling and reflecting happiness. The art of smiling has to come from within to illuminate itself in an outward fashion.

Further thought on the art of smiling led me to consider why we smile, as well as the many ways we smile OR not.

For example, we smile as we celebrate, when we’re having a good time, when we witness other people and their celebrations, when we’re happy, excited or filled with sudden joy. Sometimes we smile just being in another person’s presence; when we’re content and aware of some sort of peace that surpasses our understanding. Out of nowhere we smile and aren’t always conscious as to why.

Then there are those times when we smile out of responsibility, obligation, respect, courtesy, kindness or to some degree out of appropriateness.  

The best smile is the one which is genuine. But we should be aware that smiling can be forced, as in when we do not want to or don’t mean it. Smiles can be toothy, open mouthed, round mouthed, wide in laughter mode (ear to ear) or even partial, as in a grin. My immediate thought to this end is when we are told by someone to have a good time whether we like it or not.

While shopping at a department store today, I guess the cashier sensed I was perturbed about something and very pensive. Her response to my demeanor was “Smile!” Then she began singing, “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.” At that moment, a little light bulb went off in my head and I gave her a smile, because I realized what she meant and how it all fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Isn’t it interesting and fun when life syncs up what you are thinking about it? Here I was pondering a tweet about smiling and it comes back around to me while shopping.

Today, in response to the idea, I tweeted back the following statement: “‘elims’ spelled backwards is Smile!”

Simple and to the point, turn that frown upside down.

If you’re happy and you know it…well, simply spread a little sunshine called a smile. They say that a smile is contagious, so smile and pass it on. It’ll do us all a lot of good.

Now, everyone say, “Cheese!”

Hope this finds you well going into a new week of living life on a positive note.

Cheers!